Technical Abstract:
Barley contains high amounts of soluble fiber but is not consumed as extensively as oats. Oat soluble fiber has been shown to lower blood lipids and glycemic parameters. Three studies found that hypercholesterolemic subjects had significantly lower total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations after consuming diets containing barley or barley extracts. Several studies report significantly lower glucose and insulin responses after meals containing barley or barley extracts. These results indicate that barley can be an effective addition to a healthy diet to lower total and LDL-cholesterol in both men and women and glucose and insulin responses of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic individuals.